Where We Are in Isaiah 14–21 – Isaiah 14 exposed the pride of Babylon and the spiritual power behind it (a dual oracle against the historical empire and the satanic spirit of pride). Isaiah 15–16 focused on Moab, whose arrogance led to devastation, yet God’s compassion and Messianic hope were never absent.Isaiah 17 addressed Damascus and Ephraim, warning of judgment mixed with hope for repentance.

Isaiah 18 expanded Isaiah’s vision south to Cush (Ethiopia/Nubia), reminding Israel that God governs even distant nations and is calling all to bring tribute to Zion. Isaiah 19–20 dealt with Egypt, exposing her idols, judging her pride, yet promising a future Messianic unity of Egypt, Assyria, and Israel. Chapter 20 showed Isaiah acting out a symbolic warning: don’t trust political alliances, trust God.

Isaiah 21 continues the theme of God’s sovereignty over world powers, especially Babylon, the symbol of human pride. But in this chapter the tone shifts, it’s filled with a warning of impending judgment and the need to be ready and not surprised by God’s impending hand on Israel and those listening among the nations. God’s judgment day will bring defeat and destruction for military powers that misuse their strength to destroy and humiliate others.

The chapter consists of three short oracles: The Fall of Babylon (vv. 1–10).  The “desert by the sea” Edom (vv. 11–12) which is where Petra is located in Jordan today. Then a night watchman announces a dawn that has not yet arrived. Followed by a decree about Arabia (vv. 13–17) speaking of refugees and a countdown to judgment. All three emphasize the collapse of human conceit, the futility of false security, and the certainty of God’s word.

V 1-2 “The “Desert of the sea” likely refers to Babylon, a land of flat plains once under the waters of the Euphrates River and now a desert like region. The description pictures chaos, judgment, and the drying up of a once mighty and thriving people and government. It reached its zenith under Nebuchadnezzar at the time of Daniel, around 600 BC. The invading forces, the Medes and Persians, will come like a dust tornado, sudden and unstoppable, 

As with Moab (Isaiah 15–16) and Damascus (Isaiah 17), powerful nations are under God’s judgment. Babylon, the symbol of arrogant rebellion (Isaiah 14), is judged again. The prophet sees “The treacherous dealer dealing treacherously and The plunderer being plundered.” This points to Babylon’s own violence, intimidation, and oppression. “Go up, Elam! Lay siege, Media!” This predicts the Medo-Persian conquest of Babylon (539 B.C.).

Isaiah again shows God using nations to bring judgment to other nations, Assyria, then Babylon, now Medo-Persia. The sovereign Lord directs history, using the nations in their pride and arrogance to judge and then to be judged. Again we see the supernatural power of God in predicting the future.

V 3-5 Isaiah experiences anguish because of the vision. A true prophet of God does not rejoice over Babylon’s fall even though Babylon is an enemy and an ungodly nation.  2 Pet. 3:9 “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.  Isaiah feels God’s heart even in judgment. This echoes Isaiah’s weeping over Moab (Isaiah 16:9).

In v 4-5 “My mind reels, horror overwhelms me.” The night expected to be a night of feasting has become terror. This likely points to Belshazzar’s feast (Daniel 5), when the writing appeared on the wall and Babylon fell in a single night. V 5 “Prepare the table… arise, you princes!” Refers to Babylon’s leaders being caught unprepared as they were preparing for their banquet, setting their weapons aside and drinking rather than vigilant. The call: “Rise up, captains, oil the shields,” but it’s too late.

V 6-7– The watchman or man assigned to lookout was a military expression to guard for any coming attacks. Much as Ezekiel describes in Ezek 34. A watchman must report what he sees, no hiding the truth. If he fails to warn the people when he sees the sword coming he will be held guilty.  However if he faithfully reports the bloodguiltiness will fall on those who failed to heed the warning of the watchman. We who are God’s children are also similarly called to declare what we see in the Word and in the world. We are called to make disciples and share that judgment is coming but can find life in the judgment if we come under the wings of our Messiah and King. 

The watchman sees a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of donkeys and a chariot of camels. This vision represents the advancing armies who will come swiftly with, diverse and overwhelming force.

V 8-10 “My Lord, I stand continually on the watchtower…” The watchman is faithful day and night. Isaiah 18 and 19 emphasized waiting for God’s deliverance. This reinforces the call to be steadfast and alert. 

“Fallen, is fallen is Babylon!  Babylon falls and with that fall her idols are broken as well as the spiritual powers that have held her up and led her away from the Living God. This exact wording is quoted in Revelation 14:8 “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her immorality.” Revelation 18:2 And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “ Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird.

Babylon is not only an historical empire, but a symbol of the world’s arrogant system that is opposed to God. God uses the image of threshing grain, the judgment that separates chaff from wheat. 

V 11-12 Begins the second oracle and is directed toward Edom the descendants of Esau. It is message of waiting, uncertainty, and the thin line between night and day. Watchman, how far gone is the night? He is asking “How long will this night last?” “Is there any hope?” This speaks of the spiritual darkness of those without the Lord and asking whether dawn will ever come. Essentially, he is saying morning is coming but night is coming too. Darkness and night are repeated motifs in Scripture. Meaning: God’s salvation draws near, but judgment also approaches. 

“If you will inquire, inquire—return! Come back again.” Once again we see the Lord’s invitation even to antagonistic nations.

V 13-17 Begins the third Oracle directed to Arabia. It is a message about refugees, hospitality, and a countdown to judgment. V 13 “In the thickets of Arabia you must spend the night,” Caravans from Dedan (northern Arabia) are forced into hiding. Former traders become refugees.

The people of Tema (central Arabia) are called to provide water, bread, and shelter. This demonstrates God’s concern for displaced peoples. These people are fleeing because of the judgment Isaiah prophesied. They are escaping, violence and warfare. Arabian tribes likely suffered under Assyrian expansion. V 16 declares that “In a year… all the splendor of Kedar will fail.” A major Arabian tribe (Kedar) will be destroyed. God’s judgment at times can be quite specific, in time and detail. Only a remnant will survive, once again we see the repeated theme of a remnant from both Israel and the nations.

This reminds us once again that God oversees the rise and fall of empires and nations. All mankind is called to watchfulness, anticipating coming judgment. It is also a call to mankind to repent and come to the God of Israel in His appointed way. God through His prophet is extending an invitation to all nations and peoples, Even Edom, Israel’s enemy: “return, come back.”

Isaiah 21 reinforces the message we’ve been developing chapter by chapter:

• God humbles the proud (Babylon, Moab, Damascus, Egypt, Arabia).
• God is sovereign over geopolitical events.
• False alliances cannot save, only the Lord can. (Isaiah 20)
• Nations collapse, but God’s redemptive plan advances it is unstoppable.
• The Messianic Kingdom is the end to which all judgments point.

Isaiah’s word to God’s people not to fear the threat of Assyria. No empire—not Assyria, not Babylon, not Persia, can overturn God’s purposes for Israel.